New partnerships struck at pop-up shop promoting our Social Security Scotland benefits advocacy service
A VoiceAbility pop-up shop returned to Dumfries last week, supporting people to apply for benefits and seeing new partnerships struck with like-minded organisations.
We were based at The Standard in High Street from Monday 3 March to Thursday 6 March to explain how we can support disabled people to access Social Security Scotland benefits.
VoiceAbility advocates Maureen Jardine and Moira Harkins with golden labrador Theo outside The Standard in Dumfries town centre, where a pop-up shop was held about the support available to people applying for Social Security Scotland benefits
Our independent advocates were also on hand to talk about the support available for parents, guardians, or carers who are accessing benefits for a disabled child, and for those who are disabled and want support to access social security benefits for their child.
Following on from the success of our first Dumfries pop-up shop, held in September 2024, VoiceAbility advocate Maureen Jardine returned with 13-month-old golden labrador Theo for the 4-day event.
Golden labrador Theo on hand to give out VoiceAbility goodie bags and pictured with Natasha Jardine from Midsteeple Quarter, the community benefit society which led a £7.3 million renovation of the building
Maureen, who lives in Dumfries, said: “Thanks to the event, we’re now supporting at least 5 more people to apply for benefits and have struck up new partnerships with 2 national organisations which have bases in Dumfries – employability, skills and education company Triage, and Capability Scotland, a charity which provides care and support for disabled people.
Working with Triage and Capability Scotland will mean more networking opportunities and ultimately ensure more people are aware of the free benefits advocacy support we provide.
“A big thank you to everyone who came and said hello – Theo had fun all week and was fed lots of treats!”
For more information about the free service VoiceAbility provides across the country, visit voiceability.org/socialsecurityadvocacy or call us for free on 0300 303 1660.